1. In a series of seventy-one patients with wringer injuries of the hand three basic types of lesion were observed: a) denuding of part of or the entire hand, usually accompanied by avulsion of the distal phalanges; b) small lacerated wounds with wide detachment of surrounding skin and frequent fractures; c) multiple cut injuries of digits or the entire hand with skin avulsions. 2. Treatment was guided by the following principles: a) improvement of blood supply in regions of impaired nourishment; b) stable primary fixation of bones with Kirschner wires; c) primary wound closure through free skin grafting with maximal utilisation of available flaps. 3. Surgical technique as applied in various typical cases is outlined

Technological advances and shorter rescue times have allowed early and effective resuscitation after trauma and brought attention to the host response to injury. Trauma patients are at risk of progressive organ dysfunction from what appears to be an uncontrolled immune response. The availability of improved techniques of molecular diagnosis has allowed investigation of the role of genetic variations in the inflammatory response to post-traumatic complications and particularly to sepsis. This review examines the current evidence for the genetic predisposition to adverse outcome after trauma. While there is evidence supporting the involvement of different polymorphic variants of genes in determining the post-traumatic course and the development of complications, larger-scale studies are needed to improve the understanding of how genetic variability influences the responses to post-traumatic complications and pharmacotherapy

We performed a prospective study in 186 patients with a minimum follow-up of two years in order to attempt to predict successful major re-implantation of the upper limb. There were 137 men and 49 women with 24 amputations of the palm, 75 of the wrist, 50 of the forearm, 9 disarticulations through the elbow, and 28 amputations through the upper arm. The degree of injury to the amputated segment and the stump were good predictors of the rate of success and the final outcome. Adequate preservation, contraction of the muscle in the amputated part after stimulation, the level of injury and a smoking habit were fair indicators, but the serum potassium concentration in the amputated segment was the best objective predictor. When it is higher than 6.5 mmol/l 30 minutes after re-perfusion, re-implantation should be avoided. A high systemic venous serum potassium concentration was also found before clinical signs of the re-perfusion syndrome were seen

The late results of treatment of calcaneal fractures in 17 children (19 fractures) were reviewed at a mean of 16.8 years after injury. With the exception of one patient, all fractures had been treated conservatively. At follow-up there were few complaints. All but two patients had full or slightly reduced mobility of the subtalar joint and unrestricted foot function, including the ability to walk comfortably on uneven surfaces. Minor radiological abnormalities of the hindfoot were common; there were two cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Clinical scoring of the ankle and hindfoot using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society rating system averaged 96.2 points. The results suggest that up to 16.8 years after injury almost all children achieve excellent long-term functional results with conservative treatment of fractures of the os calcis. Open management may only be appropriate for adolescents with severe displacements

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation in adults is usually fatal and survival without neurological deficit is rare. The surgical management of those who do survive is difficult and controversial. Most authorities recommend posterior occipitoaxial fusion, but this compromises cervical rotation. We describe a case in which a patient with a traumatic atlanto-occipital disruption but no neurological deficit was treated by atlanto-occipital fusion using a new technique consisting of cancellous bone autografting supported by an occipital plate linked by rods to lateral mass screws in the atlas. The technique is described in detail. At one year the neck was stable, radiological fusion had been achieved, and atlantoaxial rotation preserved. The rationale behind this approach is discussed and the relevant literature reviewed. We recommend the technique for injuries of this type

Objectives

Meniscal injuries are often associated with an active lifestyle. The damage of meniscal tissue puts young patients at higher risk of undergoing meniscal surgery and, therefore, at higher risk of osteoarthritis. In this study, we undertook proof-of-concept research to develop a cellularized human meniscus by using 3D bioprinting technology.

1. Rupture of the brachial artery or of one of its divisions in association with elbow injuries is probably more common than a survey of the literature would imply. Three cases of rupture of the brachial artery complicating compound dislocation of the elbow are reported. 2. These cases appear to have a consistent pattern of soft-tissue damage, with avulsion of the common flexor origin, and a varying degree of damage to the biceps and brachialis. The median nerve escaped injury. 3. The method of dealing with the divided vessels does not appear to be of importance in determining the outcome, simple ligation being as satisfactory as attempts at grafting or suture. 4. In no case was there any evidence of Volkmann's contracture. Provided rapid reduction of the dislocation is effected, together with ligation of the vessels, a satisfactory return of the circulation may be expected

We report the results in 33 patients who had nerve grafting of the axillary or the suprascapular nerve or of both. There were 32 men and one woman; their mean age was 21 years and the average interval between injury and operation was three months. At a mean follow-up of 27 months, the deltoid had recovered to M3 or better in 23 of 30 patients (77%) and the infraspinatus in 18 of 25 patients (72%). Shoulder elevation had reached 120° or more in 27 patients (82%), with external rotation of 30° or more in 27 (82%). Twenty-six patients (79%) could reach to the top of their head with their hand. Recovery of muscle strength, range of movement and shoulder function were satisfactory when surgery was performed within four months of the injury. Early exploration and nerve grafting can lead to a good functional recovery, but thorough exploration and careful repair of both nerves are essential

Femoral lengthening has been associated with narrowing of the joint space at the hip. We have studied the joint space before lengthening in 20 patients with a short femur due to a femoral-shaft fracture (15) or distal femoral epiphyseal injury (5). Their mean age at injury was 16 years (3 to 27) and the mean shortening was 5.4 cm (1.1 to 14). We found that the hip joint space of the shortened femur was significantly narrower (p < 0.001) than that on the normal side, with a mean narrowing ratio of 15.5% (−5 to +43). The narrowing ratio was directly related to the period spent non-weight-bearing (p < 0.001), but not to the amount of femoral shortening. We have shown that the joint space of the hip in patients with post-traumatic femoral shortening was narrowed even before femoral lengthening had been started

We reviewed 36 consecutive patients with Monteggia fracture-dislocations of the forearm; 28 had been treated within 24 hours and 8 had been referred a week or more after the initial injury with persisting or recurrent dislocation of the proximal radio-ulnar joint after treatment elsewhere. We treated 15 of the 16 complete fractures and 3 of the 11 incomplete fractures of the ulna by operative fixation. All the early fractures and six of the eight late referrals had good or excellent results. The two poor results were in patients with malalignment and dislocation of the radial head persisting for at least two weeks before definitive treatment. A good outcome after a Monteggia injury in a child requires early diagnosis and prompt, stable, anatomical reduction of the ulnar fracture. In our experience, selective operative fixation of unstable fractures provides reliable reduction and causes few complications

External fixation of fractures of the leg may give uneven results and a high rate of complications. We postulate that three basic principles can govern the optimal use of these devices. The external fixation frame should avoid damage to vital anatomical structures, it should allow access to the injured area and it should meet the mechanical demands of the patient and the injury. From 1978 to 1981 these principles were evaluated prospectively in 75 consecutive cases of complex tibial injury treated with an external frame. Most were open fractures. The study confirmed that the principles were safe and effective; they have general application and do not depend on the use of a particular frame or device. By following them we have eliminated the majority of complications seen after traditional methods of external fixation

The presence of the connective tissue components fibronectin and the different types of collagen was demonstrated by histological and immunohistological methods in the granulation and scar tissue of a healing injury in rat muscle. The effects of physical activity on granulation tissue production, scar formation and muscle regeneration at various stages of healing were studied. It was shown that immobilisation after injury accelerates granulation tissue production, but if continued too long, leads to contraction of the scar and to poor structural organisation of the components of regenerating muscle and scar tissue. However, a certain period of immobilisation, about five days for rat muscle, is required to allow newly-formed granulation tissue to cover the injured area and to have sufficient tensile strength to withstand subsequent mobilisation. This mobilisation, at the correct interval, seems essential for the quicker resorption of scar tissue and the better structural organisation of the muscle

The stability of union following the conservative treatment of tibial shaft fractures has been examined in 157 patients by a non-invasive method. With this technique it is possible to ascertain when the fragments are united and whether the strength of union is sufficient for full weight-bearing without protection. The mean time required for union was 14.0 +/- 9.2 weeks, with a range of 4 to 48 weeks. In 31 cases union was judged to be delayed; in 22 of these, intended operations were avoided because repeated stability determinations indicated progressive union. Of nine fracture variables examined, the only ones which significantly affected the time required to achieve union were the age and the weight of the patient. Irrelevant factors were the type and level of the fracture, the energy of trauma, soft-tissue injury and the presence of multiple injuries

Dislocations of the cervicothoracic junction are frequently missed. Experience of this rare injury over 27 years at the Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield confirms that nearly two-thirds were not properly diagnosed on admission. Only two of the 14 dislocations studied were reduced by conservative methods and these were both associated with fractures of the posterior bony elements. Open reduction is necessary to replace pure dislocations at the C7-T1 level. It seems likely that the spinal cord lesion is not influenced by reduction of the displacement. The three patients who had an incomplete lesion of the spinal cord made excellent neurological recoveries although none of the dislocations was reduced. It is concluded that on theoretical grounds it is justified to embark on operative reduction of displacements at this spinal level only if the cord lesion is incomplete, nerve root recovery therefore possible, and if the operation can be brought about soon after the injury

Twenty patients with complete brachial plexus lesions were reviewed approximately nine and a half years after injury. Thirteen were amputees and seven had received no surgical treatment. Amputation did not alleviate pain and a prosthesis was frequently of no greater use of the patient than the useless limb it replaced: only two of the thirteen amputees were true prosthetic users and they both had dominant limb involvement, the rest adapting easily to being one-handed. Initial treatment should therefore be conservative, with intensive rehabilitation and retraining. It is recommended that amputation should not be considered until a year after injury and only if the flail limb causes repulsion, prevents sporting activities or if the patient has difficulty in converting to the non-dominant limb. In no instance should smputation be done for relief of pain

Aims

Dupuytren’s contracture is a benign, myoproliferative condition affecting the palmar fascia that results in progressive contractures of the fingers. Despite increased knowledge of the cellular and connective tissue changes involved, neither a cure nor an optimum form of treatment exists. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the best available evidence on the management of this condition.

An experimental model was established to investigate the possibility of repairing cervical nerve roots avulsed from the spinal cord, as occurs in traction injuries of the brachial plexus. In five sheep the C6 root was avulsed and the ventral root was reattached using freeze-thawed muscle as a short graft (0.5 cm). Recovery was assessed after one year by electrophysiology and histology. Stimulation of the root produced muscle contractions in four out of five sheep. Action potentials were recorded distal to the grafts in all five sheep. Histological examination showed regenerated fibres in the ventral roots in all cases. These fibres could be traced distally to the brachial plexus. Our study confirms that motor fibres can regenerate out of the spinal cord into the ventral roots and reinnervate muscles, and suggests that reimplantation of avulsed roots is a surgical option in selected cases of traction injury of the brachial plexus

We have studied 105 patients with 107 acute, primary, dislocations of the glenohumeral joint seen between January 1, 1991 and July 1, 1994. The mean time of follow-up was 71 months (46 to 91). In 34% the injury occurred during a sports activity and in 28% at home. The bias toward sport was even greater in patients less than 40 years of age, and in men. In patients older than 40 years of age, and in women, the dislocation occurred more often at home. The overall probability of recurrence within four years was 26%. Age was the most significant prognostic factor in recurrence which took place in 64% of patients less than 20 years of age and in 6% of those older than 40 years. Statistically, there was no difference between the rates of recurrence in patients who were active in sport and those who were not. The mean Rowe score for the whole group was 87 (15 to 100). Associated fractures were found in 20 patients (19%) and nerve injuries in 22 (21%). None of those in whom a fracture of the greater tuberosity was seen subsequently suffered a recurrent dislocation. At follow-up we found that 36 patients (34%) had not returned to their former employment but in only 2% was this owing to the injured shoulder

We have evaluated the functional, clinical and radiological outcome of patients with simple and complex acetabular fractures involving the posterior wall, and identified factors associated with an adverse outcome. We reviewed 128 patients treated operatively for a fracture involving the posterior wall of the acetabulum between 1982 and 1999. The Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment and Short-Form 36 scores, the presence of radiological arthritis and complications were assessed as a function of injury, treatment and clinical variables. The patients had profound functional deficits compared with the normal population. Anatomical reduction alone was not sufficient to restore function. The fracture pattern, marginal impaction and residual displacement of > 2 mm were associated with the development of arthritis, which related to poor function and the need for hip replacement. It may be appropriate to consider immediate total hip replacement for patients aged > 50 years with marginal impaction and comminution of the wall, since 7 of 13 (54%) of these required early hip replacement